Eps2.1 k3rnel-pan1c.ksd
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| "eps2.1_k3rnel-pan1c.ksd" | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Robot episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Sam Esmail |
| Written by | Sam Esmail |
| Cinematography by | Tod Campbell |
| Editing by | Philip Harrison |
| Original release date | July 20, 2016 |
| Running time | 63 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"eps2.1_k3rnel-pan1c.ksd" is the third episode of the second season of the American drama thriller television series Mr. Robot. It is the thirteenth overall episode of the series and was written and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. It originally aired on USA Network on July 20, 2016.
The series follows Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker with social anxiety disorder, who is recruited by an insurrectionary anarchist known as "Mr. Robot" to join a group of hacktivists called "fsociety". In the episode, Elliot starts consuming Adderall pills to get rid of Mr. Robot, while Mobley stumbles upon an horrific discovery.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.799 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, directing and intrigue.
In a flashback, Romero (Ron Cephas Jones) has recently been released from prison. He rents the arcade, Fun Society, to Mobley (Azhar Khan), while also revealing some of the dark history of the arcade. Seeing potential in him, Mobley decides to recruit him into fsociety, convincing him that he can retaliate against the prison responsible for his arrest.
In present day, Elliot (Rami Malek) talks with Tyrell (Martin Wallström) over the phone, who won't disclose his location. Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) hangs up the phone, and angrily claims that Elliot is not respecting their deal. Elliot is confused, and also discovers Gideon's murder through the TV. Disturbed, he starts consuming Adderall pills that Leon (Joey Badass) provides him, despite Mr. Robot's protests. However, while walking on the street, Elliot is kidnapped by men in a black van. The kidnappers take him to a warehouse, where they force him to ingest cement, causing him to later vomit the Adderall pills in his bedroom. As Mr. Robot mocks him, Elliot consumes the pills he vomited.
Mobley visits Romero's house, only to discover him murdered in the backyard. Darlene (Carly Chaikin) blames it on Romero's drug deals, but Mobley is saddened over the loss of his friend. Mobley and Trenton (Sunita Mani) suspect the Dark Army was involved, but Darlene is skeptical as they did not know about Romero. She tells them to stay off the grid, although Mobley is scared of her and Elliot. Dominique (Grace Gummer) is called to investigate the crime scene, finding a printed list on the computer table denoting FBI agents and their information, of which she takes a snapshot. Angela (Portia Doubleday) dines with Price (Michael Cristofer) and two E Corp executives. Price reveals that the men were involved in the Washington Township event, providing her with evidence and letting her decide on what to do.
Elliot's behavior changes, as the pills cause him to lose sleep for days. During a church group meeting, he lashes out his frustrations with everything before storming off. At the diner, he is approached by Ray (Craig Robinson), who found his journal. Ray relates how his wife's death altered his life, and wants Elliot's help through Mr. Robot. Dominique decides to visit Romero's mother, convincing her to let her enter. During the visit, she finds a poster for the "End of the World Party". Following the address, she finds the arcade.
Production
Development
In July 2016, USA Network announced that the third episode of the season would be titled "eps2.1_k3rnel-pan1c.ksd". The episode was written and directed by series creator Sam Esmail. This was Esmail's eighth writing credit, and sixth directing credit.[1]